We are excited to announce the launch of Women Creating Change (WCC) in partnership with Alliance of Women Directors, Women In Film, SAG-AFTRA, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), NewFillmakers LA, Women In Media, and Los Angeles Theater Academy.

WCC is a community of inspiring female artists and filmmakers from the Greater Middle East who seek to inspire change and bridge cultural and religious divides by championing creative, inclusive collaborations through storytelling. WCC is dedicated to building a vibrant space for honest, substantive dialogue around today’s most pressing issues.

Join us for the launch of WCC on Saturday, November 18 at the Los Angeles Theater Academy (LACC). The daylong event will consist of powerful discussions around women empowerment in entertainment, interactive workshops, and one-on-one sessions with top executives, casting directors, producers, and more!

Check out what we have in store for you!

Panel Discussion:

The panel discussion will focus on the theme of "Women From The Middle East: Challenging The Status Quo & Defying Stereotypes," featuring influential and inspiring female filmmakers and actors of Middle Eastern and North African descent who have demonstrated courage in the face of inequality and oppression, and have changed perceptions of the region. Panelists include actress and activist Azita Ghanizada, internationlly acclaimed actress, producer and writer Noa Tishby, entertainment attorney Elsa Ramo, and filmmaker and activist Iram Parveen Bilal. The panel will be moderated by Alesia Weston, strategic advisor to international filmmakers and consultant for festivals, filmmaker training programs, and art institutions.

Interactive Workshops:

"How to Leverage Social Media to Build Your Online Brand in the Entertainment / Film Industry?" Led by Digital and Social Media Expert, Tal Navarro.
"Writing for Television Vs. Film & The Art of Pitching" led by Writer and Producer Marlana Hope and Producer Aimee Schoof.

One-On-One Sessions (up to 10 minutes for each session):

We will have representatives from major talent agencies, casting directors, top executives, entertainment lawyers, and more! See below a few of our confirmed guests .

Cast your project! Meet with casting Directors who are currently casting for TV and film (Kendra Castelberry, Valerie McCaffrey, Ramani Leah and Shannon Makhanian ).
Pitch and produce your project! Present your pitch to producers and executives and get advise on how to package, produce and finance your Tv or Film projects (Ophira Dagan , Carrisa Buffel , Viviana Zarragoitia and Aimee Schoof ).
Get legal consultation! Consult with top-notch entertainment lawyers in town ( Yasmine O. Abdel-Aal, Nina Ameri).
Get advice from a talent agent! For those who are looking for advice re: talent representation, renowned talent agent Lara Abul Failat will be joining us.
Build your brand! Consult with a top branding expert on how to build your online brand with Tal Navarro. Additionally, celebrity photographer, Theo & Juliet's Juliet Wolf will join us to provide exclusive consultation on your headshot. Make sure your bring a current headshot (a copy or on an iPad).

Film Screening:

We will conclude the day with a private screening of the critically acclaimed award-winning documentary, Women in Sink by Iris Zaki, winner of the prestigious Grirson Award. In a little hair salon owned by an Arab in Haifa, Israel, the director installs a camera over the washing-basin where she chats with the clients she is shampooing. She paints an unexpected choral portrait of this space that provides a temporary freedom in which Arab and Jewish women share their differences and a community of views on politics, history and love.

We will also host a Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean lunch reception for networking and getting to know members of our community.

Coffee/ Tea and refreshments will be served throughout the event.

Tickets are available for $17 (early bird) and $22 (regular registartion) for all-day access pass including parking. Register today. Seats are limited.

Women Creating Change Launch Event